Gray backs off Pac-10 pledge

Joseph Gray has decided to de-commit from Washington and make a pledge to San Jose State and his father, Mike, said one of the big reasons why the decision was made was because his son feels he can get on the field earlier with the Spartans.

"That had something to do with it," Mike Gray said. "He took a trip up to San Jose a couple weeks ago and he was excited about it. The main thing was getting on the field earlier. There was that and the fact that he liked it. He liked the atmosphere and the challenge he faces there.

"The coaching staff has given us great confidence that it is setting up where it's looking like he'll be the starter next year."

Gray is an athletic 5-foot-11, 175-pound dual-threat quarterback who had a big senior season and helped lead Dorsey to a 10-2 record. He threw for more than 3,000 yards with 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions and also rushed for five scores.

Washington is in serious need of quarterback help - and is almost certainly trying to sign one in this recruiting class - but Gray felt his best chance of seeing the field next season would be to switch programs.

Gray's recent visit to San Jose State convinced him that it would be the best place for him despite going down in program and conference prestige. Playing time is what sold Gray on his decision.

"It is a big draw," Mike Gray said. "Joseph was looking at that and I'm not going to shirk that at all and say, 'No, that wasn't important.'

"Any kid his age is going to look at how fast he's going to get on the field. He respects that program up in Washington a whole lot, we all do. It's a great staff up there and great opportunities up there. He thought long and hard. I give Joseph that kind of respect that if he's going to be the one doing this he's the one that's going to make the decision."